# NTSB ANC95LA033: Champion 8GCBC, N88297, Fairbanks, AK, March 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 9, 1995, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Location: 64.8378° N, 147.7164° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fairbanks, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8378&lon=-147.7164&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2630 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2630/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA033 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING. A SHORT TAKEOFF AREA THAT WAS COVERED WITH SOFT SNOW WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS DEPARTING A REMOTE OFF-AIRPORT LANDING AREA IN A SKI EQUIPPED AIRPLANE ON A PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT AT THE CONCLUSION OF A HUNTING TRIP. UTILIZING SNOW SHOES AND THE AIRCRAFT SKIS, THE PILOT PACKED THE SNOW IN THE TAKEOFF AREA. ADDITIONALLY, HE CUT SEVERAL TREES ABOUT 800 TO 1,000 FEET FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT TO CLEAR A DEPARTURE PATH. DURING THE TAKE- OFF RUN, THE RIGHT SKI DUG INTO SOFT SNOW, SLOWING THE AIRPLANE AND EXTENDING THE TAKEOFF RUN. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB ABOVE ADDITIONAL TREES AT THE END OF THE DEPARTURE AREA. ## Factual narrative On March 9, 1995, about 1300 hours Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Champion 8GCBC, N88297, collided with trees during takeoff from a remote off-airport landing area, about 60 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight for the purpose of wolf hunting when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Fairbanks about 0800 hours. The pilot reported that he landed in an area of heavy snow and slightly rising terrain in the area of Birch Creek and Clums Fork in the Steese National Conservation Area. After hunting, previous winds of about 20 knots had become intermittent and gusty. Utilizing snow shoes and the aircraft skis, the pilot packed the snow in the takeoff area. In addition, he cut several trees about 800 to 1,000 feet from the departure point to clear a departure path. During the takeoff run, the right ski dug into soft snow, slowing the airplane and extending the takeoff run. After lift-off, the aircraft was unable to climb above additional trees at the end of the departure area. The airplane received damage to the wings and elevator. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88297](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88297), registered now, S/N 104-74, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 8GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C2E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c2e) (registry code 42288, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 104-74 - Airframe hours: 3400 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Swisher, Richard C. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 3, 1995, 10 hours before - Destination: FAI, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 20 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -0 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950309009279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950309009279A), Mar 9, 1995: Bbavia 8GCBC, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Tried depart snow covered remote area on skis. Slowed by soft snow as skid ag in. Struck tress end of open area. ## Other investigations on N88297 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC89LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA145), Aug 19, 1989: Bellanca 8GCBC (N88297), Galbraith Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTION CONTROL AFTER ABORTING TAKEOFF FOLLOWING FAILURE OF THE TAIL LANDING GEAR TIRE. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.